OLDER people are being urged not to be left out in the cold and miss out on their £200 winter fuel payment this year.

Last year 49,396 payments were to people in the area totalling seven and a half million pounds.

the department for Work and Pensions say most older people who are eligible will get the payment automatically, but some will have to claim it.

A spokesman said: "It may still be summer but you should check now and if necessary make a claim to ensure you get your payment before Christmas."

Works and Pensions minister Ian McCartney said older people should not have to worry about the cost of heating to keep warm in winter.

He added: "Millions of people have benefited from winter fuel payments over the last four winters. The good news is that they will do so again this year.

"The payments give older people the comfort and security of knowing they have enough money when the biggest fuel bill of the year lands on their doormat."

Mr McCartney said they were determined that people should receive the money before Christmas.

It was therefore important that those who needed to claim did so as soon as possible. People aged 60 and over and ordinarily resident in great Britain during the week September 17-23, 2001, are eligible.

You do NOT need to make a claim if you expect to get a State Retirement Pension or another social security benefit (excluding housing benefit, council tax benefit or child benefit) or if you received a payment in a previous year.